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Common Sense Gun Legislation

March 15, 2018
E-Newsletters

Straight Talk with Sam

Dear Friend,

Recent tragic events have spurred another concerted effort to limit the gun rights of law-abiding Americans.

Our second amendment rights are crucial if we are to maintain the freedoms we enjoy today. If we start chipping away at the right to bear arms, where do we stop? Which parts of the Bill of Rights suddenly become debatable?

Recent gun control proposals are simply knee-jerk reactions designed to make us feel safe without solving the problem. Not selling a rifle to an 18-year old that can legally enlist in the military and be required to carry that same gun doesn't make the slightest bit of sense.

Common sense gun legislation should start by empowering citizens and law enforcement with the resources they need to successfully defend themselves and protect those around them. Our schools in particular, deserve every tool available to ensure that our children are safe.

This week, I voted for The Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act of 2018 to ensure our schools are safe and secure. The STOP Act is a bipartisan bill that helps train students, teachers, school officials, and local law enforcement how to identify the warning signs of school violence and stop threatening individuals before they can do harm.

Additionally, it will create an anonymous reporting system so threats can be identified without fear of retaliation. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe community and this legislation provides a multi-layered approach to identify threats and prevent violence from taking place on school grounds.

At the end of the day, Congress can't legislate away evil. As long as evil exists in this world, no amount of gun control will stop a barbarian. If we further restrict our right to bear arms, the only person left with a gun is the one who shouldn't have it. Common-sense solutions, like The STOP Act, will help ensure that our kids get the opportunity to learn in a safe environment, which is something we can all agree on.


Sincerely,

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Signature of Congressman Sam Graves

Sam Graves